Cherokee National Youth Choir

2014 Cherokee National Youth Choir

The Cherokee National Youth Choir performs traditional songs in the Cherokee language. The choir was founded in 2000 as a way to keep our youth interested in and involved with Cherokee language and culture.

The group is an important symbol to the world at large, demonstrating that Cherokee language and culture continues to thrive in modern society. Since its inception the group has recorded numerous audio CDs. Choir members act as ambassadors, their beautiful and energetic voices uniting to show the strength of the Cherokee Nation and culture more than 160 years after a forced removal from our eastern homelands.

Interest in the Cherokee language has been rekindled among our young people largely through the success of the youth choir. Several area schools now use the CDs as a learning tool and other schools are interested in developing curriculum to teach Cherokee language and music. The Cherokee Nation is committed to make the preservation of our language and culture a priority.

The Cherokee National Youth Choir is made up of 40 Cherokee young people from northeastern Oklahoma communities. The choir members are middle and high school youth between grades 6 through 12. The students compete in rigorous auditions every year for a place in the choir. The Cherokee National Youth Choir is funded solely by the Cherokee Nation.

Request A Performance

While we are always eager to consider requests for performances, please remember that making travel arrangements for such a large group requires some time for advance planning. Therefore, we ask that you make your request as far in advance as you can. A downloadable PDF version of our request form is available at the bottom of this page. Wado (Thank you)! Please mail or fax your completed request form to:

Purchase Our Music

You may listen to samples and purchase our music at iTunes by searching the music section with the phrase "Cherokee National Youth Choir." Our CDs are also available on amazon.com.

Next Auditions:

January 2016, W.W. Keeler Tribal Complex, Tahlequah.

All auditions by appointment only

Criteria:

Applicants must be an enrolled Cherokee tribal citizen and a school student in good standing between 7th and 11th grades. Applicants must be entering 7th grade by Fall 2015 to qualify for consideration. You must bring letter of recommendation from school official stating that you are a student in good standing and a photocopy of your tribal membership card to the audition. Please note:

both documents are required when you appear in order to qualify you for an audition.

To schedule an audition or for more information, please contact Kathy Sierra 918-453-5638. You may also contact us via e-mail at